Fearne Cotton interviews Sophie Walker, the founding leader of the Women's Equality Party, at Tatton Park. They discuss the future of feminism, channeling anger into positive change, gender representation, sustainable activism, rebellion, and the significance of the kitchen and culinary traditions.
Feminism is about equality and dismantling structures perpetuating inequality, highlighting the need for more representation and recognition of women's unique experiences and contributions.
Activism empowers individuals to create meaningful change by tapping into anger as a motivator, practicing compassionate collaboration, and staying engaged despite opposition or differing opinions.
Deep dives
Starting the Women's Equality party
Sophie Walker shares her journey of founding the Women's Equality party and the challenges she faced in starting a new political party. Growing up with activist parents, Sophie initially didn't plan on going into politics. However, after experiencing the struggles of being a working single mother with a daughter diagnosed with autism, she became motivated to become an activist and create change. Sophie highlights the importance of taking action instead of waiting for someone else to bring about change.
The importance of feminism and women's equality
Sophie discusses the misconceptions surrounding feminism and women's equality. She emphasizes that feminism is about equality and dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequality. Sophie highlights the many ways in which women still face disparities and challenges in society, such as unequal pay, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and the prevalence of violence against women. She also addresses how society often devalues women's work, particularly in areas like childcare. Sophie calls for more representation and a shift towards recognizing the unique experiences and contributions of women.
The power of activism
Sophie explores the concept of activism and how it can empower individuals to create meaningful change. She discusses the importance of defeating despair and staying hopeful in the face of challenges. Sophie encourages individuals to tap into their anger as a motivator for action, noting that anger can be a powerful tool for understanding the need for change. She advocates for compassionate collaboration, highlighting the power of coming together with others who share a common vision. Sophie also emphasizes the importance of staying engaged, even when faced with opposition or differing opinions.
Encouraging sustainable activism
Sophie talks about the need for sustainable activism and avoiding burnout. She encourages individuals to look after themselves while staying committed to their causes. Sophie redefines rebellion as freedom and discusses the power of collective action and working together towards a shared vision. She acknowledges the challenges and discomfort that can come with being an activist but emphasizes the value of collaboration and the importance of finding common ground. Overall, Sophie encourages individuals to persevere, maintain hope, and embrace activism as a means to drive positive change.
Live from Manchester's Tatton Park, Fearne is joined by the founding leader of the Women's Equality Party Sophie Walker to talk about the feminism of the future, how to channel anger into positive change, and what we can all be doing to make life better for everyone.
Thanks to the sponsors of the Happy Place Festival, Rituals. Who create bath, body and home products designed to help you slow down and feel good. Visit rituals.com, where there's a welcome gift waiting for you...